Summer science students to shine at first Australian Symposium on Electromaterials Science

Feb 10, 2006

Five undergraduate students who won summer research fellowships to undertake projects within the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute will present the results of their studies at the first Australian Symposium on Electromaterials Science being held at UOW from 15-17 February.

The newly-established ARC Centre of Excellence in Electromaterials Science will be formally opened during the symposium on 16 February.

Researchers from the world’s leading scientific institutions will descend on UOW for the symposium which will involve the first world-wide announcement of several major breakthroughs in different fields of nanotechnology and electromaterials science. [Further details involving these announcements will be released early next week].

The summer fellowship holders have been working on projects spanning the use of nanotechnology in thermoelectrochemical cells (harvesting energy from waste heat), to nanotube electrodes for biofuel cells – harvesting energy from biological systems.

Willo Grosse is undertaking a Bachelor of Nanotechnology degree (Advanced) and is carrying out research that will lead to the development of new carbon nanotube based biofibres. These fibres are intended for use in the bionics program of the new ARC Centre of Excellence in Electromaterials Science.

Peter Sherrell (Bachelor of Nanotechnology degree) has been determining how important biomolecules interact with preformed carbon nanotube structures. The development of new bioelectrodes is envisaged.

Shannon Little (Chemistry Honours) is working on nano thermoelectrochemical cells with a view to developing new technologies that will harvest energy from waste heat.

Luke Sweetman (Bachelor of Nanotechnology degree) is developing a new conducting polymer biocomposits that will be used in areas such as muscle and nerve cell regeneration.

Carl Tippler (Environmental Science) is investigating new biochemical cell technologies. The ultimate goal is to use naturally occurring biochemical reactions to generate energy in remote environmental situations. The same program will also be able to develop implantable energy services.